Britain's longest serving monarch, Elizabeth II, will stand aside as patron for 25 national organisations when her birthday year finishes at the end of 2016.

Patronages will be handed over to other members of the Royal Family.

NSPCC, Save the Children, Barnardo's and Battersea Dog's Home are among the organisations.

The shock move will fuel speculation Her Majesty is preparing to hand over the crown to her son Prince Charles.

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Responsibilities for Rugby Football Union, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Association and the Royal Geographical Society will also be taken up by other Royals.

The Queen is the patron of more than 600 bodies.

Royal family members will take on the patronages in the coming months, according to Buckingham Palace officials.

Work the Queen does with hundreds of charities will also be shared with relatives, they said.

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NEW KING: Prince Charles (pictured) is next in line for the throne

Prince Charles, who turned 67 last November, is next in line to take the throne.

The Prince of Wales is known for being outspoken on issues including the environment, architecture and farming.

When he turned 65, Buckingham Palace acknowledged that he would gradually take on more of his mum's Royal duties.

However, shock claims reported by OK! Magazine suggested Prince William and Kate Middleton could be the next king and queen of England.

"When the Queen passes the baton, it will be to William and his wife Duchess Kate,” a source told the magazine.

Speaking of Prince Charles, the source added: “If letting William and Kate become the next king and queen is what it takes to cement the future of the monarchy, he’s willing to sacrifice his own turn on the throne.”

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The Royal Family remain as popular as ever with 76% in favour of keeping the monarchy.

Three-quarters of the public think the Monarchy has an important role to play in the future of Britain, according to polling firm Ipsos MORI.

Her family have taken centre stage in recent years with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stepping into the limelight.

Prince Harry, the younger son of Charles, has also courted attention, most recently for his relationship with actress Meghan Markle.

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According to the constitution, there is nothing to stop Queen Elizabeth from stepping down from the throne.

But the Queen has expressed concerns that the country may not be ready for Prince Charles to become king, according to a biography published last year.

The monarch's birthday celebrations kicked off on her actual birthday on April 21 earlier this year.

But in June, she celebrated her official birthday with a service of thanksgiving and a picnic on The Mall, London, for 10,000 revellers.